Urgent Appeal:Bromsgrove charity for elderly needs more drivers

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Eddie Mowbray is on the lookout for more volunteer drivers. Picture by Marcus Mingins 2614029MMR.

ELDERLY and vulnerable people across Bromsgrove district could be left housebound if a town charity does not find anymore volunteer drivers.

The Bromsgrove Mini-Bus for the Elderly has provided the lifeline service to residents for the last 25 years and currently gives around 50 to 60 residents each week a chance to enjoy days out to places such as Stratford-upon-Avon, Merry Hill and Touchwood in Solihull.

The charity relies on four drivers but, with the summer approaching, many will be taking seasonal holidays leaving the group with no choice but to turn bookings down.

And if the charity cannot find anymore volunteers it will mean while most people are out enjoying the summer sunshine, many elderly and disabled residents will be left stuck inside, watching from their windows.

Drivers can be aged between 21 and 70-years-old and can volunteer as much as five times a week to once a month, between Monday and Friday.

Eddie Mowbray has been a volunteer driver for seven years.

He told The Standard: "Many of the people who use the service are residents who live in sheltered housing.

"It means the world to them - if it was not for this bus service then they would not leave their homes.

"Any of the nursing homes around Bromsgrove will say it is a lifeline for them as it gives them a chance to get out.

"If someone would be prepared to give up one day a week, one day a fortnight or even one day a month it would make such a difference.

"Most groups do not want to leave until 10am or 11am and are back by 3pm so it is a shortish day - it's just a break to get them out and about."

Anyone wanting to find out more about the scheme or to volunteer their services should call Eddie Mowbray on 07854 270652.